Film buffs can get a sneak peak of "The Film Lounge" Season 4 during watch parties in Iowa City and Des Moines before it airs on television next month.

"The Film Lounge" is a television series produced by Iowa PBS in partnership with the Iowa Arts Council and Produce Iowa, both divisions of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. The series showcases short, independent films 2-20 minutes in length representing a range of artistic forms – documentary, experimental, narrative and animation; filmmakers discussing their work as an introduction to each film; and a spotlight feature highlighting active filmmaking projects in Iowa.

Iowans can see a selection of this year's films during watch parties in Iowa City and Des Moines, and the full slate of films during two different episodes scheduled to air on Iowa PBS Jan. 25-26 and Feb. 1-2.

The watch parties are free and open to the public. Details about "The Film Lounge" watch parties and air dates follow:

Watch Parties

Iowa City FilmScene at The Chauncey 404 E. College St., Suite 100 Saturday, Jan. 18

1:30 p.m. doors open 2 p.m. showtime 3 p.m. Q&A with filmmakers in attendance

This screening will feature the following eastern Iowa selections:

"Diana," Traci Hercher, Iowa City "Concourses and Megastructures," Stefanie Toftey, Pella "Honey Do," Stephen Folker, Davenport "Problems on the Line," Philip Rabalais, Iowa City "Safe," Benjamin Handler, Iowa City

Des Moines Fleur Cinema and Café 4545 Fleur Drive Thursday, Jan. 23

6:30 p.m. doors open 7 p.m. showtime 8 p.m. Q&A with filmmakers in attendance

This screening will feature the following central Iowa selections:

"At the Violet Hour," Spencer Smith, Des Moines "Flava," Tarrell Christie, West Des Moines "Note to Self," Justin Norman, Des Moines "Soft Eyes," Sam Fathallah, Des Moines "Unscripted," Patrick Albanese, Clive

Iowa PBS Air Dates Two, one-hour episodes will showcase 10 short films with two spotlight features.

Episode 401 11 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 25 10 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26

Episode 402 11 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 2

Iowa filmmakers may submit short films to "The Film Lounge" Season 5 beginning Feb. 1 through June 1, 2020. Watch past episodes and find more information at thefilmlounge.org.

Programming support for "The Film Lounge" is provided by Produce Iowa-State Office of Media Production and the Iowa Arts Council, divisions of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs. Visit iowaculture.gov for more information.